US security rules, especially visa requirement for transit passengers, have led Iberia to look outside the USA for a hub.
Iberia has used Miami for years as a secondary hub between transatlantic flights and change-of-gauge flights to Mexico and Central America. But so many passengers complain about US security rules and delays that Iberia says its continued use of Miami is "difficult to maintain".
Several Latin cities have approached Iberia about becoming its new hub. Cancun, Panama City and San Jose in Costa Rica are high on the list.
Rival Air Europa has recently made an interline pact with Guatemala's Tikal Jets, under which Tikal will carry Air Europa's Madrid-Havana passengers on to Guatemala City and Cancun.
Miami airport officials concede that security is understaffed for the airport's number of foreign transit passengers.
Source: Airline Business